What gravel bike
Discussion
During lockdown I have done just over 1,000 miles which is usually about 8-10 miles a day for cardio, using my cheap ass £120 Tesco bike with a few upgrades.
The usual route is either red ways of Milton Keynes and around a 2 lakes, ex-railway line or back roads around local villages, none of them are particularly "off road" but none of them are smooth either, last few weeks they have also been muddy, covered in leaves and wet. Always felt that the cheap bike is holding me back somewhat as well.
I have access to a cycle2work scheme where I can either order direct from their website or go to partner stores.
On their website they have a Bergamont Grandurance 5 2020 model for £899 which works out at about £458 but in my town there is a Giant bike shop which have the Revolt model in for £1049 not sure what it would be on C2W at moment.
I like to be able to go in and physically see what I am buying and trying it on, so going to pop up to Giant sometime this week but which out of these 2 would you say is "better" as an all rounder and better value for money.
https://www.giant-newportpagnell.co.uk/gb/revolt-2...
https://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/road-bikes...
Would gravel bike suit my usage? don't think a full on "road bike" would suit it.
The usual route is either red ways of Milton Keynes and around a 2 lakes, ex-railway line or back roads around local villages, none of them are particularly "off road" but none of them are smooth either, last few weeks they have also been muddy, covered in leaves and wet. Always felt that the cheap bike is holding me back somewhat as well.
I have access to a cycle2work scheme where I can either order direct from their website or go to partner stores.
On their website they have a Bergamont Grandurance 5 2020 model for £899 which works out at about £458 but in my town there is a Giant bike shop which have the Revolt model in for £1049 not sure what it would be on C2W at moment.
I like to be able to go in and physically see what I am buying and trying it on, so going to pop up to Giant sometime this week but which out of these 2 would you say is "better" as an all rounder and better value for money.
https://www.giant-newportpagnell.co.uk/gb/revolt-2...
https://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/road-bikes...
Would gravel bike suit my usage? don't think a full on "road bike" would suit it.
Given those two to choose from, my heart would say "Giant", but looking at the spec sheet my head would choose the Bergamont. I'd definitely want the Tiagra gears with hydraulic disc brakes, over the Sora gears with mechanical (cable pull) discs. I strongly suspect, though, that the Giant will have a "better" frame and forks. Almost sure it will be lighter. But for the riding you describe, and given that you're coming from what is commonly referred to as a 'Bike Shaped Object', it'll be an improvement I'm sure.
The only thing putting me off is the fact that while I know Giant by reputation, and through owning two of their bikes, I've no experience of Bergamont, neither from reputation nor from ownership experience. So I'd need to see the Bergamont first-hand, and preferably test ride one, in order to feel sure it was right for me.
Good luck with your search though. When I needed/wanted a "gravel bike", I wasn't blessed with much of a budget, so ended up on eBay buying an old Cannondale. It's a hefty piece of engineering to be sure, but despite it's heft and older generation gears with rim brakes, it's still a joy to ride off road on byways, bridleways, and the gravel roads and former rail beds in the New Forest.
The only thing putting me off is the fact that while I know Giant by reputation, and through owning two of their bikes, I've no experience of Bergamont, neither from reputation nor from ownership experience. So I'd need to see the Bergamont first-hand, and preferably test ride one, in order to feel sure it was right for me.
Good luck with your search though. When I needed/wanted a "gravel bike", I wasn't blessed with much of a budget, so ended up on eBay buying an old Cannondale. It's a hefty piece of engineering to be sure, but despite it's heft and older generation gears with rim brakes, it's still a joy to ride off road on byways, bridleways, and the gravel roads and former rail beds in the New Forest.
The Bergamont has mechanical cable brakes too though?
I'd go with the Giant personally. There's almost nothing to choose in the spec, but Giant is a very well respected name and you can't really go wrong with that. The carbon fork is a big plus on the Giant, and if the time ever comes to sell it, I suspect the Giant will hold it's value far better. Small point but although I like the gold of the Bergamont, it could soon look like a dog's breakfast unless you were very careful with clothing and accessory colour!
The frame on the Giant just looks a bit more modern too, with it's squashed top tube and heavily hydroformed tube profiles...
I'd go with the Giant personally. There's almost nothing to choose in the spec, but Giant is a very well respected name and you can't really go wrong with that. The carbon fork is a big plus on the Giant, and if the time ever comes to sell it, I suspect the Giant will hold it's value far better. Small point but although I like the gold of the Bergamont, it could soon look like a dog's breakfast unless you were very careful with clothing and accessory colour!
The frame on the Giant just looks a bit more modern too, with it's squashed top tube and heavily hydroformed tube profiles...
Hard-Drive said:
The Bergamont has mechanical cable brakes too though?
I'd go with the Giant personally. There's almost nothing to choose in the spec, but Giant is a very well respected name and you can't really go wrong with that. The carbon fork is a big plus on the Giant, and if the time ever comes to sell it, I suspect the Giant will hold it's value far better. Small point but although I like the gold of the Bergamont, it could soon look like a dog's breakfast unless you were very careful with clothing and accessory colour!
The frame on the Giant just looks a bit more modern too, with it's squashed top tube and heavily hydroformed tube profiles...
Aye. Forgive me my "foot-in-mouth" moment - I googled the brand/model before spotting the links. I was looking at the BERGAMONT GRANDURANCE RD 5 on Bergamont's own site... https://www.bergamont.com/gb/en/product/bergamont-... ...but it doesn't show a price and it doesn't look like you can buy direct from them.I'd go with the Giant personally. There's almost nothing to choose in the spec, but Giant is a very well respected name and you can't really go wrong with that. The carbon fork is a big plus on the Giant, and if the time ever comes to sell it, I suspect the Giant will hold it's value far better. Small point but although I like the gold of the Bergamont, it could soon look like a dog's breakfast unless you were very careful with clothing and accessory colour!
The frame on the Giant just looks a bit more modern too, with it's squashed top tube and heavily hydroformed tube profiles...
Given that I'd expect the Tiagra equipped Bergamont to come at a higher price, I'd be more swayed toward the Giant in this case, especially with a carbon fibre fork over an ali one. It'd still be worth a look at the Bergamont though, if you could find a dealer/stockist near enough to visit. There's a dealer listed near me, so I'm definitely going to stick my head 'round the door next time I'm in town.
Another vote for the Giant, I have one of their road bikes which has been a pleasure to own over 5 years and nearly 30k km. I haven't heard of Bergamont though.
Another reason to plump for the Giant is if you don't like it, or don't get much use out of it, it will be much easier to sell than the Berg.
Another reason to plump for the Giant is if you don't like it, or don't get much use out of it, it will be much easier to sell than the Berg.
lothianJim said:
Going to sound like an old fart no doubt. But these modern gravel bikes with stiff aluminium frames sound bumpy to me. My favourite bike is an 20 year old Dawes tourer with steel frame and upgraded components. Rides very smooth over gravel.
I'd echo this - I wanted a gravel bike a few years back and plumped for a Genesis Croix De Fer with a Reynolds steel frame. Haven't looked back and similar price to this from memory. Feels like it'll last forever and came with Tiagra and discs. Might be worth a look. Just another option, but I bought a 2017 Trek Domane AL a few months ago to use as a winter bike, and it came with some gravel tyres and I have to say it handles it brilliantly. It decent on the road and very comfortable due to the relaxed geometry, but with the gravel tyres on it soaks up the bumps pretty well and have to say if you want a bike that can do a bit of both have a look at the domane.
MockingJay said:
Just another option, but I bought a 2017 Trek Domane AL a few months ago to use as a winter bike, and it came with some gravel tyres and I have to say it handles it brilliantly. It decent on the road and very comfortable due to the relaxed geometry, but with the gravel tyres on it soaks up the bumps pretty well and have to say if you want a bike that can do a bit of both have a look at the domane.
Just looking at the Domale AL 3 Disc now ! lovely looking bike especially in the white/red, comes in under budget as well. Both bikes look similar spec to me, I expect either would serve you well. I am also local to Milton Keynes and ride most of the routes/surfaces you discribe on a road bike fine. Some road bikes have larger tyres than others too, so you may want to consider road bikes in search too as redways and old railway lines are really just tarmac surfaces. I would aim for 28mm tyres for comfort.
mikey P 500 said:
Both bikes look similar spec to me, I expect either would serve you well. I am also local to Milton Keynes and ride most of the routes/surfaces you discribe on a road bike fine. Some road bikes have larger tyres than others too, so you may want to consider road bikes in search too as redways and old railway lines are really just tarmac surfaces. I would aim for 28mm tyres for comfort.
Round Willen is another favourite of mine. But yeh the redways can be quite bumpy. JD82 said:
lothianJim said:
Going to sound like an old fart no doubt. But these modern gravel bikes with stiff aluminium frames sound bumpy to me. My favourite bike is an 20 year old Dawes tourer with steel frame and upgraded components. Rides very smooth over gravel.
I'd echo this - I wanted a gravel bike a few years back and plumped for a Genesis Croix De Fer with a Reynolds steel frame. Haven't looked back and similar price to this from memory. Feels like it'll last forever and came with Tiagra and discs. Might be worth a look. 
t out of you, but that same bike with 700c/30 tyres at reduced pressure on road will be a floaty dream to ride. Maybe more road biased than you want?
I got an AR2 on the CTW scheme in March not sure how much rough it could handle but it's good on the road. My first road bike since the 80's
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/bikes-contend-ar...
I got an AR2 on the CTW scheme in March not sure how much rough it could handle but it's good on the road. My first road bike since the 80's
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/bikes-contend-ar...
loskie said:
Maybe more road biased than you want?
I got an AR2 on the CTW scheme in March not sure how much rough it could handle but it's good on the road. My first road bike since the 80's
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/bikes-contend-ar...
Might be a consideration with the right tyres! any idea how these C2W schemes work at the end of the 12 months? it sounds good paying £400 for an £800 bike but presuming theres a balloon payment at the end if you want to keep it. I got an AR2 on the CTW scheme in March not sure how much rough it could handle but it's good on the road. My first road bike since the 80's
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/bikes-contend-ar...
AJB88 said:
Might be a consideration with the right tyres! any idea how these C2W schemes work at the end of the 12 months? it sounds good paying £400 for an £800 bike but presuming theres a balloon payment at the end if you want to keep it.
If your C2W scheme is with Cyclescheme here's their calculator:https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/calculator?gclid=Cjw...
Essentially after the first year Cyclescheme will contact you and ask you whether you want to extend the 'loan' for a further 3 years by paying a 1 off fee.
I've just got a £2k bike on Cyclescheme which will cost me £1500 total, including the 1 off ownership fee of £140. If I went I went for the 1 year option (A silly thing to do) the bike will cost me £1860 including an ownership fee of £500.
The only downside to the 4 year option is you're unable to take out another C2W voucher until the 4 years is up.
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